State Board of Education Votes to Lapse Normandy District

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COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMOX) - The Missouri Board of Education voted today to lapse the unaccredited Normandy School District, and replace it with the Normandy Schools Collaborative, a new local education agency, as well as a new governing board.

The move is effective June 30.

In a release, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education said that the move will keep local schools operating in the district’s footprint under new leadership. The Department recommended the move based on significant community input and on a report from the Normandy Transition Task Force, which was established in March 2014 to develop a plan for the future of the district.

“We are most concerned with the 4,000 children in Normandy – making sure they receive high quality education,” said Board President Peter Herschend. “This is the only feasible way to have schools operating in the district next year.”

Board members have indicated that they will insist on significant academic improvements within the district. The State Board will retain authority over the new board to ensure positive results.

At numerous meetings with parents, educators and students, the community urged the Department and State Board to keep Normandy schools open and serving children. The Board said they believed lapsing the district and creating a new entity will allow for significant change in the educational experience offered to children.

The Normandy School District was classified as unaccredited on January 1, 2013.